The Merchant Company has a rich history interwoven with the fabric of Edinburgh life in the last 300 years. In its early days, the Company concerned itself with such matters as the city water supply and expressed regret that too many trading premises were being turned into 'brandy shops' or 'tippling places'. However, eventually the status and influence of Members was seen by public-spirited benefactors as an efficient and perpetual means of putting into effect their last wills and testaments and, as a result, charitable trusts were left to the Company to administer. This, coupled with shrewd investment, resulted in the Company becoming one of the biggest land owners in Scotland. For example, one of the Master's responsibilities until recently was that of the Chairman of the Trustees of the Harbours of Peterhead and Chairman of the Managers of the Feuars of Peterhead. It also saw the Company assuming many responsibilities, relating mainly to the young, the poor and the elderly. As time passed, the focus of the Company moved completely to education and charitable works. The guiding principles of the Merchant Company have not altered from the early days of its charitable work. The Company has over 500 Members who serve the community in a spirit of generosity and those elected to offices within the Company are trustworthy and trusted and the painting collection portrays many of its past Members and Masters over three centuries. The Merchant Company, which has little wealth of its own but has responsibility for a great deal, is enriched by the qualities of the individual Members who contribute to the educational, charitable and social life of the City of Edinburgh.